which some shadow-like great-aunt ended her days.
"I have all sorts of social connections," such a woman will write. "I have a good English education, some knowledge of French and music, and I paint rather well on china. I think I would do very well as a companion, or social secretary, or governess, or anything of that sort. I am very patient and sympathetic."
This quotation from a real letter shows just what vague ideas inexperienced women hold regarding the posts of companion, social secretary and governess, which are hopelessly confused in the average feminine mind. The old-fashioned "companion" who had no assured position in the household, who was a dependent rather than a useful or desired factor in the family circle, has given place to a figure of energy and well-defined duties. The work of the "companion" is now that of the trained or semi-trained attendant. The social secretary to the woman of fashion is as important a figure in Madam Newly-Rich's household as her imported English butler. The private secretary to the woman of money and affairs has as clearly a defined standing in the household as the private secretary to the woman's husband in a corporation office. The invalid requires not a low-voiced, gentle-mannered girl who can read aloud and take odd stitches for her employer,
